Oct. 18, 2010 -- The fate of California's redistricting laws will be determined at the ballot box this year by the winner of two opposing initiatives. Currently, California's district lines for state offices are drawn by a 14-person board, established by Prop. 11 (which narrowly passed in 2008) and its districts for the U.S. House of Representatives are drawn by the state legislature. If either measure passes in November, both tasks will be given to one group. Prop. 20 would place the power of drawing both state and federal districts with the 14-person board. Prop. 27 would eliminate the board, and give all redistricting powers back to the legislature. If both initiatives pass, the measure receiving more total 'Yes' votes will become law.
Prop. 27 is supported by Democratic campaign committees, unions and a well-heeled entertainment mogul named Haim Saban.
The opposition to Prop. 27 and support of Prop. 20 is being funded almost entirely by two individuals: Charles T. Munger Jr., a self-employed physicist who has contributed over $11 million to the campaign group "Yes on 20, No on 27." and an additional million from Munger's wife Charlotte A. Lowell, an attorney.
Below are contribution totals as of Oct. 18, compiled by data made available by the California Secretary of State. Industry breakdowns based on analysis conducted by MAPLight.org.
